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During the spring of 1995, Woody Guthrie's daughter Nora contacted British urban folk troubadour Billy Bragg about writing music for a selection of completed Guthrie lyrics. This was no minor task -- Guthrie left behind over a thousand sets of complete lyrics written between 1939 and 1967 that had no music other than a vague stylistic notation. Bragg chose a number of songs to finish, as did Jeff Tweedy of the alt-country band Wilco (often with bandmate Jay Bennett). Nora Guthrie impressed a common goal upon them: Rather than recreating Guthrie tunes, they should write as if they were collaborating with Woody, creating new, vital music for the lyrics. Both artists completed more songs than could fit on Mermaid Avenue, which is neatly split between Bragg and Wilco, with Bragg taking lead on eight of the 15 songs. The results are almost entirely a delight, mainly because all involved are faithful to Guthrie's rowdy spirit -- it's a reverent project that knows how to have fun. There are many minor, irresistible gems scattered throughout the album, and most of them come from Bragg. Where Wilco's fine contributions sound inextricably tied to the '90s, both for better and for worse, Bragg's music sounds contemporary while capturing Guthrie's folk traditions. That's not to say Wilco's contributions are failures -- it's just hard to imagine Guthrie singing the plaintive "California Stars" or the plodding "Christ for President," neither of which quite fit the lyrics. Nevertheless, their hearts are in the right place; more often than not, they come close to the target, and their joyous playing invigorates Mermaid Avenue. The blend of Bragg's traditionalist sensibility and Wilco's contemporary style ultimately illustrates that Guthrie's words, ideals, and aesthetics remain alive in the '90s. It's a remarkable record that deserves a sequel.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Jeff Tweedy, Electric Guitar, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry Boys, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wilco, Producer, Additional Vocals, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - JAY BENNETT, Clarinet, Drums, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - JOHN STIRRATT, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Ken Coomer, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Woody Guthrie, Author - Robert C. Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Billy Bragg, Composer, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Grant Showbiz, Producer, Recording Producer - Jonathan Parker, Additional Vocals, Asst. Recording Engineer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1998 Craft Recordings.
Jeff Tweedy, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jerry Boys, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wilco, Producer, Recording Producer, MainArtist - JAY BENNETT, Piano, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - JOHN STIRRATT, Electric Bass, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ken Coomer, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Woody Guthrie, ComposerLyricist - Robert C. Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Billy Bragg, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - ELIZA CARTHY, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Grant Showbiz, Producer, Recording Producer - Corey Harris, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jonathan Parker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1998 Craft Recordings.
Natalie Merchant, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry Boys, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wilco, Producer, Recording Producer, MainArtist - JAY BENNETT, Bouzouki, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - JOHN STIRRATT, Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Ken Coomer, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Woody Guthrie, Author - Robert C. Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Yanowitz, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Billy Bragg, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - ELIZA CARTHY, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Grant Showbiz, Producer, Recording Producer - Elizabeth Steen, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer - Jonathan Parker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1998 Craft Recordings.
Natalie Merchant, Vocals, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry Boys, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wilco, Producer, Recording Producer, MainArtist - Woody Guthrie, Author - Robert C. Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Billy Bragg, Composer, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Grant Showbiz, Producer, Recording Producer - Jonathan Parker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1998 Craft Recordings.
Jeff Tweedy, Composer, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry Boys, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wilco, Producer, Recording Producer, MainArtist - JAY BENNETT, Composer, Organ, AssociatedPerformer - JOHN STIRRATT, Composer, Keyboards, Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Ken Coomer, Composer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Woody Guthrie, Author - Robert C. Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Billy Bragg, Composer, Producer, Electric Guitar, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Grant Showbiz, Producer, Recording Producer - Corey Harris, Composer, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jonathan Parker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1998 Craft Recordings.
Jeff Tweedy, Composer, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry Boys, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wilco, Producer, Recording Producer, MainArtist - JAY BENNETT, Composer, Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Bass, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - JOHN STIRRATT, Acoustic Guitar, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Ken Coomer, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Woody Guthrie, Author - Robert C. Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Billy Bragg, Composer, Producer, Vocals, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Egan, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Grant Showbiz, Producer, Recording Producer - Jonathan Parker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1998 Craft Recordings.
Jeff Tweedy, Composer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry Boys, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wilco, Producer, Recording Producer, MainArtist - JAY BENNETT, Dulcimer, Hammond B3, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - JOHN STIRRATT, Electric Bass, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ken Coomer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Woody Guthrie, Author - Robert C. Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Billy Bragg, Producer, Bouzouki, Background Vocalist, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Grant Showbiz, Producer, Recording Producer - Jonathan Parker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1998 Craft Recordings.
Jerry Boys, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wilco, Producer, Recording Producer, MainArtist - Woody Guthrie, Author - Robert C. Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Billy Bragg, Composer, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Grant Showbiz, Producer, Recording Producer - Jonathan Parker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1998 Craft Recordings.
Jeff Tweedy, Composer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry Boys, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wilco, Producer, Recording Producer, MainArtist - JAY BENNETT, Composer, Banjo, Piano, Clavichord, AssociatedPerformer - JOHN STIRRATT, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Ken Coomer, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Woody Guthrie, Author - Robert C. Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Billy Bragg, Producer, Guitar, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Grant Showbiz, Producer, Recording Producer - Jonathan Parker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1998 Craft Recordings.
Jeff Tweedy, Electric Guitar, Clapping, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry Boys, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wilco, Producer, Recording Producer, MainArtist - JAY BENNETT, Piano, Hammond B3, Clapping, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - JOHN STIRRATT, Electric Bass, Clapping, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ken Coomer, Drums, Clapping, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Woody Guthrie, Author - Robert C. Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Billy Bragg, Composer, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Clapping, Background Vocalist, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Grant Showbiz, Producer, Recording Producer - Corey Harris, Clapping, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jonathan Parker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1998 Craft Recordings.
Jeff Tweedy, Composer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry Boys, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wilco, Producer, Recording Producer, MainArtist - JAY BENNETT, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - JOHN STIRRATT, Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Woody Guthrie, Author - Robert C. Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Billy Bragg, Producer, Recording Producer, MainArtist - Bob Egan, Pedal Steel, AssociatedPerformer - Grant Showbiz, Producer, Recording Producer - Jonathan Parker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1998 Craft Recordings.
Jerry Boys, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wilco, Producer, Recording Producer, MainArtist - JAY BENNETT, Percussion, Piano, Melodica, AssociatedPerformer - Ken Coomer, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Woody Guthrie, Author - Robert C. Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Billy Bragg, Composer, Producer, Banjo, Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Grant Showbiz, Producer, Recording Producer - Jonathan Parker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1998 Craft Recordings.
Jeff Tweedy, Composer, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry Boys, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wilco, Producer, Recording Producer, MainArtist - JAY BENNETT, Electric Guitar, Piano, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - JOHN STIRRATT, Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Ken Coomer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Woody Guthrie, Author - Robert C. Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Billy Bragg, Producer, Electric Guitar, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Grant Showbiz, Producer, Recording Producer - Jonathan Parker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1998 Craft Recordings.
Jeff Tweedy, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry Boys, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wilco, Producer, Recording Producer, MainArtist - JAY BENNETT, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Woody Guthrie, Author - Robert C. Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Billy Bragg, Composer, Producer, Recording Producer, MainArtist - Grant Showbiz, Producer, Recording Producer - Jonathan Parker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1998 Craft Recordings.
Jeff Tweedy, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry Boys, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wilco, Producer, Recording Producer, MainArtist - JAY BENNETT, Piano, Melodica, AssociatedPerformer - JOHN STIRRATT, Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Ken Coomer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Woody Guthrie, Author - Robert C. Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Billy Bragg, Composer, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Egan, Pedal Steel, AssociatedPerformer - Grant Showbiz, Producer, Recording Producer - Jonathan Parker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1998 Craft Recordings.
Albumbeschreibung
During the spring of 1995, Woody Guthrie's daughter Nora contacted British urban folk troubadour Billy Bragg about writing music for a selection of completed Guthrie lyrics. This was no minor task -- Guthrie left behind over a thousand sets of complete lyrics written between 1939 and 1967 that had no music other than a vague stylistic notation. Bragg chose a number of songs to finish, as did Jeff Tweedy of the alt-country band Wilco (often with bandmate Jay Bennett). Nora Guthrie impressed a common goal upon them: Rather than recreating Guthrie tunes, they should write as if they were collaborating with Woody, creating new, vital music for the lyrics. Both artists completed more songs than could fit on Mermaid Avenue, which is neatly split between Bragg and Wilco, with Bragg taking lead on eight of the 15 songs. The results are almost entirely a delight, mainly because all involved are faithful to Guthrie's rowdy spirit -- it's a reverent project that knows how to have fun. There are many minor, irresistible gems scattered throughout the album, and most of them come from Bragg. Where Wilco's fine contributions sound inextricably tied to the '90s, both for better and for worse, Bragg's music sounds contemporary while capturing Guthrie's folk traditions. That's not to say Wilco's contributions are failures -- it's just hard to imagine Guthrie singing the plaintive "California Stars" or the plodding "Christ for President," neither of which quite fit the lyrics. Nevertheless, their hearts are in the right place; more often than not, they come close to the target, and their joyous playing invigorates Mermaid Avenue. The blend of Bragg's traditionalist sensibility and Wilco's contemporary style ultimately illustrates that Guthrie's words, ideals, and aesthetics remain alive in the '90s. It's a remarkable record that deserves a sequel.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 15 track(s)
- Total length: 00:49:21
- Main artists: Billy Bragg Wilco
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Craft Recordings
- Genre: Blues/country/folk Folk
© 1998 Craft Recordings. ℗ 1998 Craft Recordings.
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